§ 7.200

7.200 Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity. (1) The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity is hereby established within the legislative department of state government. The purpose of the commission shall be to conduct studies and research on issues where disparities may exist across the sectors of educational equity, child welfare, health, economic opportunity, juvenile justice, criminal justice, and any other sectors that are deemed relevant in an effort to identify areas of improvement in providing services and opportunities for minority communit ies. (2) The commission shall be composed of the following thirteen (13) members: (a) One (1) member appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives from a list of three (3) names provided by the Prosecutors Advisor y Council; (b) Four (4) members of the Senate, two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the Senate President, and two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the Senate Minority Floor Leader; (c) Four (4) members of the House of Representatives, two (2) of whom sha ll be appointed by the Speaker of the House, and two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the House Minority Floor

Floor Leader; (c) Four (4) members of the House of Representatives, two (2) of whom sha ll be appointed by the Speaker of the House, and two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the House Minority Floor Leader; and (d) Four (4) members from the private and nonprofit sectors, universities, or local governments who have expertise in social policy related to education, health, economic development, or the law and who shall be appointed for up to two (2) consecutive, three (3) year terms by the following: 1. One (1) shall be appointed by the Senate President; 2. One (1) shall be appointed by the Sena te Minority Floor Leader; 3. One (1) shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and 4. One (1) shall be appointed by the House Minority Floor Leader. (3) The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall each appoint one (1) co-chair of t he commission from among that chamber's members appointed to the commission. (4) Any vacancy which may occur in the membership of the commission shall be filled by the appointing authority who made the original appointment. (5) The commis sion shall have the authority to: (a) Hold monthly meetings during the interim meeting period of the

sion shall be filled by the appointing authority who made the original appointment. (5) The commis sion shall have the authority to: (a) Hold monthly meetings during the interim meeting period of the General Assembly; (b) Seek comment, testimony, documents, records, or other information from various government agencies and organizations representing the public to address existing and potential barriers to minority success and empowerment; and (c) Provide research -driven policy proposals and actionable items when areas of improvement are identified. (6) A majority of the entire membership of the commissio n shall constitute a quorum. (7) The Legislative Research Commission shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the employment of personnel necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. (8) The commission shall publish and submit an annual report to t he Legislative Research Commission with recommendations on any potential legislative or administrative actions with respect to their findings. Effective: June 29, 2021 History: Created 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 146, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2021.